Chapter 4 – Final Design Plan Development Publication 10C (DM-1C)

SOL 432-12-04 August 2012 Publication 10C (DM-1C)

Appendix N discusses constructability review teams and tasks, and provides guidelines for using open end agreements for consultant constructability review services. Also included is a useful checklist of issues to be considered in constructability, biddability, and cost estimate reviews.

B.Preliminary Plan Check. The Central Office, Bureau of Design, Field Liaison Engineers shall hold three specific types of plan checks. These plan checks include periodic visits to Consultants and Districts (see Section 4.13D), preliminary plan check, and final plan check. The purpose of the preliminary plan check is to eliminate at an early date possible delays that would otherwise be discovered during the Final Plan Check; to make sure that the most recent directives have been received and are being followed; and to check on the follow-up of design review comments from the Central Office, District, and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

The time when a preliminary plan check should be scheduled will be determined by the Field Liaison Engineer at the periodic visits or by the request of the District Executive. In all cases, the time of the review will be coordinated with the District Executive. Refer to Publication 14M, Design Manual Part 3, Highway Plans Presentation, for information on plan presentation requirements.

C.Final Plan Check. The final plan check is performed by representatives of the Bureau of Design - Field Liaison Engineer, District Executive (or designee), and consultant, if applicable.

The duties and responsibilities of the representatives attending the plan check are as follows:

Field Liaison Engineer:

  • Has the authority of the Bureau of Design, Highway Quality Assurance Division Chief.
  • Is in charge of the final plan check.
  • Is requested to prepare a Plan Review Report on any items that are not correct at the time of the final plan check. Completed copies must be submitted to the District Executive and the Bureau of Design, Contract Development and Award Section, Chief.
  • Will conduct Final Design Plans Checks for all Moderately Complex and Major projects, any Minor projects involving right-of-way acquisition, and all Formal Plan Revisions (see Publication 10, Design Manual Part 1, Tables 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 for information on Project Complexity Levels), except for projects following the procedures in Publication 10X, Design Manual 1X, Appendix AB.

The District Executive shall:

  • Provide qualified personnel to perform all required design review. These reviews shall include checking alignment and grade, length of project, safety, hydraulics, structures, traffic, quantities, etc. The District Executive will be responsible for the accuracy of the work performed by these personnel.
  • Provide qualified personnel to complete the details specified in the Plan Review Report, including descriptions of any design exceptions or special design(s) requiring environmental mitigation.
  • Prepare the Preliminary Estimate, including bridge and roadway quantities, supporting data and a list of Structural Special Provisions. The District will forward the above-mentioned forms and a complete set of bridge plans to the Bureau of Design, Bridge Quality Assurance Division for a plan check. This information must be available prior to completion of the final plan check.
  • Will notify the Field Liaison Engineer (if required) when the plans will be ready for the final plan check. This notification need not be by letter but should be made at least three weeks in advance of the desired date to allow for scheduling the plan check two weeks in advance.
  • Will prepare an evaluation report indicating the completeness and accuracy of consultant's work, if applicable. These evaluation reports will be used to determine future assignment of work to the consultant.
  • Will conduct the final plans check and complete the Plan Review Report for all projects not requiring Field Liaison Engineer participation (see last bullet under Field Liaison Engineer above), except for projects following the procedures in Publication 10X, Design Manual 1X, Appendix AB.

Consultant:

  • Is required to have the plans and related documents adequately checked prior to the final plan check to eliminate any delay in checking the project.
  • Will send a copy of the letter of transmittal to the Bureau of Design, Highway Quality Assurance Division when the plans are submitted to the District.
  • Will have the Project Engineer, together with adequate design personnel, make any required corrections, and attend the final plan check. It is expected that all required corrections will be made by the consultant prior to leaving the final plan check location.
  • Will provide sufficient sets of prints and the tracings at the final plan check.
  • Will conduct the final plan check for projects following the procedures in Publication 10X, Design Manual 1X, Appendix AB.

Refer to Publication 14M, Design Manual Part 3, Highway Plans Presentation, for information on plan presentation requirements.

D.Periodic Visits to Consultants and Districts. The purpose of this visit will be to check on the status of all highway projects being designed by the Consultant or District; to determine problems that are causing or could cause delay in the progress of projects; and to assure that the consultant's activities are coordinated for all Districts. This visit by the Bureau of Design Field Liaison Engineer and Project Development Engineer is intended to supplement the visits by District Liaison personnel.

Should any District Executive desire to have a representative attend a periodic visit in the consultant's office, contact should be made with the Bureau of Design. The Central Office Field Liaison Engineer shall set a mutually agreeable date for this periodic visit. The District Executive will be notified, in writing, concerning follow-up action needed to resolve any special problems discovered during the visit. It is anticipated that the periodic visit will be combined with the Preliminary Plan Checks when possible.

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